Breaking The Stigma - Dumfries & Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership

Welcome to Breaking the Stigma, the podcast from Dumfries and Galloway’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership. This series is for anyone impacted by drugs or alcohol… whether that’s you, someone you care about, or the work you do every day. Across this series, we’ll be having open, honest conversations about what support is available, how to access it, and what people really need to know. We’ll explore the role of the ADP and the services behind it…look at harm reduction and staying safe…talk about women’s health…break down the Charter of Rights…and share real conversations around recovery, family support, and more. This isn’t about judgement… it’s about understanding, support, and making information easier to access. So whether you’re looking for help, supporting someone else, or working within services, this podcast is here for you. Search Breaking the Stigma… or head to dgadp.co.uk to find out more.

Episodes

  1. Jun 1

    Human Rights, Recovery and Respect - Understanding the Charter of Rights

    In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we explore the Charter of Rights and why a rights-based approach is essential when supporting people affected by drugs and alcohol. Hosted by Faye from the ADP Support Team, this episode features Tom Bennett, Rights and Recovery Development Officer with the Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC).  Together, they discuss the seven key human rights within the Charter of Rights and what they mean in practice for people affected by substance use, recovery communities, services and professionals working across Scotland. The conversation explores stigma, discrimination, advocacy, recovery, trauma-informed practice and why people affected by substance use must be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. Tom also explains the FAIR model, how services can better uphold human rights, and why education and awareness are vital in changing attitudes and improving outcomes. This episode is an important conversation for anyone accessing support, working within services, supporting a loved one, or wanting to better understand how human rights connect to recovery and wellbeing. Because everyone deserves to have their voice heard, their dignity protected, and their rights respected. For more information and support, visit dgadp.co.uk. Find The Scottish recovery Consortium here: https://scottishrecoveryconsortium.org/ Produced by Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk

    33 min
  2. May 18

    Women’s Health and Addiction - The Hidden Barriers We Must Address

    In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we focus on women’s health and the unique challenges faced by women affected by substance use, trauma and involvement in the justice system. Hosted by Barbara from the ADP Support Team, this episode features Vicki, Community Justice Partnership Manager for Dumfries and Galloway, and Michelle, Recovery Worker with With You in Dumfries and Galloway. Together, they explore the barriers women face when trying to access health services, including stigma, trauma, inequality in service provision, and the impact of complex life experiences such as domestic abuse, mental health challenges and motherhood. The conversation highlights gaps in areas such as reproductive health, menopause support, and dual diagnosis, while also exploring how services can better listen to and act on lived experience. The importance of safe, women-only spaces, peer support, and building trust is a key theme throughout. This episode also looks at how services must move beyond being trauma-informed to becoming gender-informed, recognising that women’s experiences are different and require a more tailored, compassionate approach. Whether you are a woman affected by drugs or alcohol, supporting someone who is, or working within services, this episode offers insight, understanding and a call to action for change. Because to truly support women, we must first understand their experiences. For more information and support, visit dgadp.co.uk. We are With YOU: Phone  0800 035 0793  Email: dumfriesgalloway@wearewithyou.org.uk  Community Justice Partnership: https://www.dgppp.org.uk/about-partnership-and-strategic-partnerships/key-strategic-partnerships/community-justice Produced by Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk

    28 min
  3. May 4

    Recovery IS possible!

    In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we explore what recovery really looks like... not just in theory, but in everyday life. Hosted by Faye from the ADP Support Team, this episode features Charly from Dumfries and Galloway Recovery Together (DGRT) and Andrew, founder of Southwest Recovery Cafe. Through honest and powerful conversation, Charly and Andrew share their own lived experiences of recovery, what it means to them personally, and how recovery communities are helping people across Dumfries and Galloway find connection, purpose and hope. The episode explores how peer-led recovery groups work, how individuals can get involved, and why having a sense of community can make all the difference. It also highlights the challenges people face, including stigma, and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces where people feel understood and not judged. Whether you are at the start of your recovery journey, supporting someone else, or working within services, this episode offers insight, reassurance and a powerful reminder that recovery is possible. Because sometimes, the first step is simply knowing that there is another way forward. For more information and local support, visit dgadp.co.uk. For Southwest Recovery Cafe - Find us on Facebook or call 07858 417137 For D&G Recovery Together - Find us on Facebook or call 07548 309727 or email Dumfriesandgallowayrecoverytog@gmail.com Produced by Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk

    37 min

About

Welcome to Breaking the Stigma, the podcast from Dumfries and Galloway’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership. This series is for anyone impacted by drugs or alcohol… whether that’s you, someone you care about, or the work you do every day. Across this series, we’ll be having open, honest conversations about what support is available, how to access it, and what people really need to know. We’ll explore the role of the ADP and the services behind it…look at harm reduction and staying safe…talk about women’s health…break down the Charter of Rights…and share real conversations around recovery, family support, and more. This isn’t about judgement… it’s about understanding, support, and making information easier to access. So whether you’re looking for help, supporting someone else, or working within services, this podcast is here for you. Search Breaking the Stigma… or head to dgadp.co.uk to find out more.